EXPLOSIVE: Tennis’s chief executive has imposed the highest fine in history on an umpire for serious errors during the Roland Garros final between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka.

In a stunning development that has rocked the tennis world, the chief executive of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has levied an unprecedented fine on an umpire following a series of critical errors during the 2025 Roland Garros women’s singles final. The match, which saw Coco Gauff defeat Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 battle, has now become the center of a major controversy due to officiating blunders that may have influenced the outcome.

The decision to impose the highest fine ever on an umpire stems from what insiders describe as “egregious and repeated mistakes” during the high-stakes encounter. Sources indicate that the umpire’s misjudgments, including incorrect line calls and failure to address the windy conditions affecting play, drew sharp criticism from players, coaches, and fans alike. Sabalenka, who committed a staggering 70 unforced errors, later hinted at frustration with the officiating, suggesting it contributed to her subpar performance. Gauff, while gracious in victory, also acknowledged the challenging conditions, subtly pointing to the need for better oversight.

The fine, rumored to exceed previous records by a significant margin, marks a bold statement from the ITF, signaling a zero-tolerance policy for officiating errors in Grand Slam events. Tennis analysts argue that this move could set a precedent, prompting a thorough review of umpire training and technology use, such as Hawk-Eye, to ensure accuracy. However, the decision has sparked debate. Some view it as a necessary step to maintain the integrity of the sport, while others question whether penalizing the umpire unfairly shifts blame from the players’ performances under pressure.

The Roland Garros final was already a rollercoaster, with Gauff staging a remarkable comeback to secure her first French Open title and second Grand Slam, following her 2023 US Open win. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, expressed disappointment, calling it “the worst final I ever played,” a sentiment that some now attribute partly to the chaotic officiating. Fans on social media have echoed these sentiments, with many calling for greater transparency from the ITF regarding the umpire’s specific errors.

As the tennis community digests this unprecedented action, all eyes are on the ITF to release an official statement detailing the fine and the errors in question. With Wimbledon approaching on June 30, this scandal could prompt swift reforms to avoid similar controversies. For now, the focus remains on Gauff’s triumph, but the shadow of this historic fine looms large, promising to reshape discussions about fairness and accountability in professional tennis.